Real Madrid have identified their Luka Modrić replacement on the transfer market | OneFootball

The powers that be at La Liga giants Real Madrid have earmarked the club’s leading target to replace Luka Modrić in their long-term plans.

That’s according to Diario AS, who point towards Florian Wirtz as the player in question.

The widespread expectation, of course, is that this season will represent veteran midfielder Modrić’s last in the colours of Real Madrid.

Though still performing at a high level, the Croatian recently turned 39 years of age, meaning his days at the very top level of the game are numbered.

The brass at the Santiago Bernabéu, as a result, will soon be forced to seek out a replacement for a player set to leave a sizeable hole in Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield ranks.

And the individual currently favoured to fill this gap comes in the form of Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz.

As per a report from AS:

‘In Valdebebas it is considered that the Bayer Leverkusen star would be the ideal replacement for Luka Modrić , who is likely to enjoy his last season at the club.’

Work, in turn, has already begun behind the scenes in Madrid, in a bid to beat out the stiff competition – Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are all keen – for Wirtz’s signature.

Conor Laird – GSFN